Page 1 of 28

APPENDIX B: Environmental Commitments, Minimization Measures, and Best Management Practices for Task 5 and Task 6

The environmental commitments, minimization measures, and BMPs listed in the table below include practices, techniques, methods,

processes, and activities commonly accepted and used throughout the construction and railroad industries that would be implemented as part of the 

Task 5 and Task 6 projects to facilitate compliance with applicable requirements and that provide an effective and practicable means of preventing or 

minimizing the environmental effects of an action. Also included are additional commitments that FRA identified through the environmental review process 

and in consultation with other state and Federal resource agencies (e.g., DAHP, USFWS, NMFS). WSDOT is responsible for implementing all measures 

identified in this Appendix B.
Page 

2 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Prepare and follow a Temporary Erosion and 

Sediment Control (TESC) Plan to minimize 

potential erosion, surface water runoff, and 

dust generation.

5, 6XXXXXX

Prepare and implement an approved Spill 

Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures 

Plan (SPCC) during construction. The SPCC 

would address construction activities related 

to equipment fueling and maintenance, 

including types of hydraulic fluids used,

emergency spill containment procedures, and 

spill containment materials.

5, 6XXXX

Prepare and implement a construction 

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan 

(SWPPP) to minimize sediment, spills, and dust 

from escaping the site.

5, 6XXXXX

Remove sediment prior to any stormwater 

runoff leaving the site using appropriate 

BMPs.

5, 6XXXXXX

Stabilize exposed soils to prevent erosion (e.g., 

through hydroseeding or installing straw 

wattles).

5, 6XXXXXX
Page 

3 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Install a temporary erosion control blanket 

immediately after seeding, fertilizing, and 

mulching in site specific locations as 

developed in the SWPP.

5, 6XXXXXX

Handle and dispose of all on-site pollutants, 

including waste materials and demolition 

debris in accordance with sound practice to 

avoid contamination of stormwater.

5, 6XXXXXX

Remove all waste oils and machinery fluids 

off-site when they are generated. No waste 

oils or fluids would be stored on site.

5, 6XXXXX

Apply chemicals such as fertilizers and 

pesticides in accordance with sound practices 

to avoid loss of chemicals to stormwater 

runoff.

5, 6XXXXX

Provide separate handling of highly turbid 

stormwater and contaminated wastewater. 5, 6

XXXX

Maintain proper surface drainage to 

unnecessary avoid ponding. 5, 6

XXXX
Page 

4 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Discharge drain flow back into affected areas, 

including wetlands, if it is necessary to install 

seepage drains for fill embankments.

6XXXX

Stabilize disturbed areas with native grass and 

plant species following construction. 5, 6

XXXX

Prior to the start of construction, on-track 

vehicle machinery/maintenance, fueling 

locations, work staging and construction 

material stockpile areas would be identified 

and developed in upland locations.

5, 6XXXX

Provide secondary containment equal to 150 

percent of storage capacity for any on-site 

fuel storage.

5, 6XX

X

X

If contaminated soils or groundwater are 

encountered during construction, the 

materials would be handled according to 

federal requirements and disposed of at an 

approved offsite facility.

5, 6X
Page 

5 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Cover disturbed soil areas so they would not remain open to become a possible source of 

offsite sediment pollution (i.e., storm water 

runoff or construction dust) for more than 7 

days. Such areas would be stabilized.

5, 6XXXXX

Design temporary excavation slopes to 

prevent surface sloughing and shallow land 

sliding.

5, 6X

Design fill and impervious areas to drain away 

from construction areas and prevent ponding 

of water and softening of subgrade soils.

5, 6X

Limit cut slopes to no than 1.5 horizontal feet 

to 1 vertical foot (1.5H:1V) or using retaining 

walls, and including permanent drainage 

facilities designed for anticipated water flows. 

Stabilize final slopes to avoid sedimentation to 

wetlands and surface waters.

5, 6XXXX
Page 

6 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Address soil conditions and geologic critical 

areas related to seismicity per geotechnical 

study of the Task 5 project. Conduct similar 

study and address identified issues for final 

design of Task 6.

5, 6X

Clearing/grading limits would be marked with 

stakes/flagging or high visibility, orange 

sediment fencing.

5, 6XXX

X

Import and use only clean fill sources from 

the suppliers with documentation certifying 

that the fill does not exceed Washington 

State soil cleanup standards.

5, 6XXXX

Clearing activities will occur outside the 

nesting season for birds (March 1 through 

September 1). If clearing occurs during the 

nesting season, nest clearance surveys and 

exclusionary measures to prevent nesting will 

be implemented.

5, 6X
Page 

7 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Restrict permanent removal of existing and 

established native vegetation to what is 

required for safe signal and crossing sight 

distances.

5, 6XX

Trim, not grub, existing and established 

vegetation to the minimum necessary for work 

access and safety.

5, 6XX

During in-water work, isolate the work site 

using coffer dams and dewatering. If 

necessary, install coffer dams and sheet piles 

with vibratory pile driving methods to 

minimize underwater noise levels.

5, 6XXX

Minimize the amount of time spent operating 

machinery below the Ordinary High Water 

Line (OHWL).

5,6X
Page 

8 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Monitor erosion control activities, including 

minimization measures and BMPs, and take 

corrective action if necessary to ensure 

protection of riparian areas and waterways. 

WSDOT will submit reports on its contractor’s 

compliance with and the effectiveness of the 

erosion control BMPs and minimization measures to NMFS within 60 days of project 

completion.

5

X

Monitor turbidity levels in UT3 near the 

confluence but prior to reaching the 

Columbia River, where turbidity levels are 

expected to fall to background levels or 

below. Report the results of the turbidity 

monitoring to NMFS within 60 days of project 

completion.

5X

Conduct fish exclusion, electrofishing, and 

relocation actions in accordance with 

applicable guidelines and Appendix I of the 

Biological Opinion from NMFS.

5X
Page 

9 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Document all Lower Columbia River (LCR) 

steelhead and LCR Coho salmon encountered 

during work area isolation by submitting an In-

water Construction Monitoring Report or 

equivalent to NMFS within 30 days of work 

area isolation.

5X

Minimize damage and vegetation removal to 

the extent possible while creating and using 

access points for construction near and below 

the OHWL.

5X

Monitor the benthic recolonization rate 

below, within and above the culvert 

placement area, where in-water work was 

performed.

5X

Use vibratory pile driving methods to minimize 

the potential for sound flanking through 

sediments to the water column.

6X

Prepare and implement a Water Quality 

Monitoring and Protection Plan to isolate, 

dewater, and remove fish from the in-water 

work areas of the Coweeman River and Owl 

Creek.

5, 6XX
Page 10 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Design and construct the new BNSF driveway 

and Owl Creek Sand Company road culverts to 

meet the NMFS and the WDFW the water 

crossing design standards.

6X

Contain and regularly manage construction 

waste.

5, 6XXXX

Place and regularly maintain portable toilet 

facilities throughout the project area. 5, 6

XXX

Extend affected culvert sections by the 

minimum length necessary and design 

installations for passability of all appropriate 

fish life stages.

5X

Conduct all in-water work during the approved 

in- water work windows. 5, 6

X

Handle and relocate all affected fish using the 

most current WSDOT protocols. 5, 6

X

Install floating sediment curtains during 

construction activities within permanently 

inundated wetland areas to minimize turbidity 

and temporary degradation to off-channel 

rearing habitat for ESA listed species.

6XX
Page 11 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Submit an Underwater Noise Monitoring Plan 

at least 30 days prior to the start of in-water 

work; monitor at least one sheet pile. Submit 

the noise monitoring results to the NMFS 

within 6 months of the completion of the in-

water work.

6X

Submit to NMFS a fish removal plan for the 

off-channel habitat and the cofferdams at 

least 14 days prior to the start of in-water 

work. The fish removal plan will follow the 

NMFS-approved WSDOT Fish Exclusion 

Protocols and Standards or most recent NMFS-

approved guidance as closely as possible; 

and report the number and species of all listed 

fish handled during in-water work to the 

NMFS within 30 days of work area isolation.

6X
Page 12 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety
Page 13 of 28

To minimize disruption and to protect park 

visitors during construction activities in Louis 

Rasmussen Day Use Park:

Access: A route on Hendrickson Drive capable 

of supporting emergency services will be 

maintained at all times during construction .

Timing: WSDOT and BNSF Railway will 

coordinate construction timing and schedule 

with the Port of Kalama to avoid impacts to 

recreation use.

Maintenance: A future maintenance 

agreement between BNSF Railway and the 

Port will be secured prior to constructing the 

UT3 culvert.

Design: Prior to proceeding with final design, 

WSDOT and BNSF Railway will provide the 

design and it review with the Port to ensure 

park resources and visitor safety is addressed 

with the culvert design. In general, the culvert 

will be constructed, and following construction 

the area will be restored, in a manner that 

conforms to the Port’s Louis Rasmussen Day 

Use Park Master Plan.

Construction: The culvert outfall and natural 

stream conveyance will be constructed to 

ensure the safety of park visitors.

Construction: WSDOT will oversee the 

construction and use WSDOT’s construction 

BMPs to control dust, noise, etc.

5X
Page 14 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

If ground-disturbing activities encounter 

human remains or archaeological materials, 

immediately stop work, secure the area, and 

contact DAHP, FRA, and the coroner.

5, 6 X X

Provide archaeological monitoring during 

construction activities exceeding depths of 15 

feet below surface (approximate depth of 

natural soil surface) and prepare an 

Inadvertent Discovery Plan, in consultation 

with DAHP, to establish procedures for 

addressing the unanticipated discovery of 

archaeological resources during construction 

activities for the UT3 culvert replacement.

5 X X
Page 15 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Should a construction easement be required 

through the off-site private property where 

streaked horned lark have been identified, the 

haul road footprint would be minimized to the 

greatest extent practical and would be 

restored back to its preexisting conditions 

following construction. The haul road will be 

made unsuitable for nesting prior to the 

nesting season to minimize effects to nesting 

birds.

6X

Avoid nighttime construction in residential 

neighborhoods. 5, 6

XX

Use specially quieted equipment with 

enclosed engines and/or high performance 

mufflers.

5, 6XX

Locate stationary construction equipment as 

far as possible from noise-sensitive sites. 5, 6

XX

Construct noise barriers, such as temporary 

walls or piles of excavated material, between 

noisy activities and noise-sensitive receivers.

5, 6XX
Page 16 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Reroute construction-related truck traffic 

along roadways that would cause the least 

noise disturbance to residents.

5, 6XX

Avoid impact pile driving near noise-sensitive 

areas, where possible. Drilled piles or the use 

of a sonic or vibratory pile driver are quieter 

alternatives where the geological conditions 

permit their use.

5, 6XX

Establish a complaint resolution procedure to 

rapidly address any noise problems that may 

develop during construction

5, 6XX

Normal operational maintenance of the tracks 

(e.g., rail profile grinding, surfacing the track, 

and replacing ties) would maintain the quality 

of the track over time, thereby minimizing the 

potential for increased noise as a result of rail 

and wheel wear.

5, 6X

Spray haul roads with water to reduce dust 

and particulate matter emissions. 5, 6

X

If necessary, provide and implement wheel 

washing to remove particulate matter that 

vehicles would otherwise carry offsite.

5, 6XXXX
Page 17 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Remove particulate matter (mud and 

windblown dust) deposited on paved 

roadways.

5, 6XXXXX

Maintain construction equipment with 

required pollution-control devices. 5, 6

XX

Limit idling equipment to the extent 

practicable. 5, 6

XX

Encourage carpooling of construction workers. 5, 6XXX

Schedule delivery of materials during off-peak 

hours to allow trucks to travel to the site with 

less congestion and at fuel-efficient speeds.

5, 6XXX

Prepare and implement a project-specific 

hazardous material management plan to 

manage potential hazardous material effects 

from previously identified sites of concern or 

unreported spills.

5, 6X
Page 18 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Develop and implement a traffic control plan 

in coordination with local jurisdictions to 

minimize traffic delays and periodic lane 

and/or access revisions.

5 X X X X X

6 X X X X

If archaeological deposits are encountered 

during construction, the provisions of the 

Inadvertent Discovery Plan would be 

implemented and consultation with the DAHP, 

tribes, and other interested stakeholders 

would be initiated to determine proper 

treatment and/or mitigation.

5, 6 X X
Page 19 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Prior to construction, a pre-construction 

testing plan will be prepared and submitted to 

DAHP for review and approval. During 

construction, to minimize potential effects to 

archeological resources during construction of 

the culvert replacement at unnamed tributary 

3, a WSDOT archaeologist would monitor 

construction activities.

5 X X

Maintain existing vegetation at the edge of the 

railroad right-of-way to screen the tracks from 

potential viewers.

5, 6 X

Coordinate and work with BNSF to ensure that 

rail freight delivery meets customer needs 

during construction.

5, 6 X
Page 20 of 28

Environmental Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Post construction schedule near affected 

crossings and temporary road closures, and 

provide information about construction

schedules and closings to local newspapers for 

publication or to the local jurisdictions for 

distribution by mail to residents and 

businesses in the area. Post project updates, 

including construction schedules, on the 

WSDOT website

5XXXX

6XX

Limit the duration and number of utility 

outages affecting both business and 

residential customers.

5, 6X

Coordinate with utility purveyors to confirm 

conflicts, implement strategies to avoid or 

minimize service disruptions, and provide 

public notification of service interruptions or 

disruptions.

5, 6X
Page 21 of 28

Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Post signage alerting workers to the 

presence of overhead power, telephone, 

or cable lines to help prevent accidental 

interference or damage during 

construction.

5, 6X

Monitor turbidity during in-water work as 

specified in the Section 401 of Clean 

Water Act certification and report the 

results of the monitoring to NMFS.

6XX

Submit to NMFS the following: 1) 

Documentation showing the actual 

acreage of accessible off-channel habitat 

within the 57 acre wetland property 

acquisition; 2) documentation of the 

property acquisition and transfer to the 

Cowlitz Tribe; 3) the final plans for the 

off-channel restoration, the upland berm 

removal, and the new culverts; and 4) a 

post-construction report on all 

restoration activities, including post-

construction site photos.

6X
Page 22 of 28

Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

Construction personnel will dispose of 

food waste in a manner that does not 

attract corvids or other predators.

5, 6X

WSDOT will purchase, or have purchased, 

not less than 3.6 acres of mitigation 

credits at the Columbia River Wetland 

Mitigation Bank in Vancouver, 

Washington.

5X

WSDOT will purchase, or have purchased, 

not less than 6.8 areas of mitigation 

credits (or another amount required by 

subsequent USACE Section 404 

permitting) from the Coweeman River 

Wetland Mitigation Bank (CRWMB), and 

fee acquisition of wetland properties for 

permanent preservation. If, for any 

reason, the required mitigation credits 

are not available at CRWMB, WSDOT will 

find suitable substitute mitigation in 

consultation with FRA and USACE. Such 

substitute mitigation might include 

permittee-responsible mitigation.

6X
Page 23 of 28

Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

The placement of fill in Wetland B for the 

new third main line track within the Task 

5 project area would reduce stormwater 

conveyance capacity that could result in 

flooding. To maintain the current 

stormwater conveyance capacity, 

Wetland B would be expanded to offset 

the placement of the fill material.

5XX

Approximately 0.5 acre of Wetland H 

would be restored, two existing, narrow 

culverts would be replaced with a larger, 

wider culvert at MP 100.29, an existing, 

narrow culvert under the Owl Creek Sand 

and Gravel Company access road at MP 

101.60 would be replaced, and an upland 

berm at MP 101.05 would be removed.

6X
Page 24 of 28

Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

WSDOT will monitor and log construction 

activities (type and duration) specified in 

the Biological Opinion and adjacent to 

occupied/suitable habitat for streaked 

horned larks. A final report describing the 

type of equipment used, duration of use, 

and estimated sound levels of 

construction work to the USFWS within 

six months of completion of the project 

work.

5, 6 X
Page 25 of 28

Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

A qualified biologist will monitor as much 

of the occupied/suitable habitat for 

streaked horned lark within 100 meters 

of the construction activities specified in 

the Biological Opinion, as possible, for a 

minimum of four days during the 

construction. Details for monitoring and 

reporting are described in the USFWS 

Biological Opinion for Task 6 in Appendix 

D and include:

i. Observers will document streaked 

horned lark presence and behavior (e.g., 

aerial displays, flying, chasing, singing, or 

any other behavior).

ii. The four days will be evenly spaced 

throughout the duration of construction 

adjacent to these areas (e.g., 

construction takes 30 days, space four 

surveys days evenly over the 30 day 

period).

iii. Surveys will be done according to a 

survey methodology coordinated with 

the USFWS. 

5,6X
Page 26 of 28

iv. If the occupied/suitable habitat is not 

directly accessible, an attempt to monitor 

from the nearest accessible location will 

occur.

v. Any streaked horned larks detected in 

and near the construction areas will be 

noted and their location mapped. 

vi. The bird surveyor will prepare a 

monitoring report that includes maps of 

these use areas and data sheets of the 

documented behaviors. 

vii. A final report describing the type of 

equipment used, duration of use, and 

estimated sound levels of construction 

will be submitted to USFWS within six 

months of completion of construction.
Page 27 of 28

Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

FRA and WSDOT will assess the portion of 

the Vancouver, B.C. to Portland, OR rail 

corridor that contains the action area for 

CWTD habitat connectivity in the 

Washington State Service Development 

Plan, to be finalized in 2017. The habitat 

connectivity analysis will focus on CWTD 

in the range of CWTD. FRA and WSDOT 

will request assistance from the Service in 

assessing habitat connectivity along the 

rail line in the range of the CWTD. 

Measures identified in the plan will be 

implemented in the action area by the 

FRA, when reasonable to do so, as part of 

any subsequent rail improvement action 

funded by FRA.

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Environmental 

Commitment, 

Minimization Measure, or 

BMP

Task

Geology and Soils

Air Quality

Water Resources

Wetlands

Ecological Resources 

and Threatened and 

Endangered Species

Energy and Climate 

Change

Noise

Vibration

Hazardous Materials

Land Use and 

Recreation

Cultural Resources

Section 4(f) Resources

Socioeconomics and 

Environmental Justice

Aesthetics

Transportation

Public Services, Utilities 

and Safety

FRA and WSDOT will coordinate with the 

USFWS and BNSF to develop and 

implement an Animal Retrieval Plan that 

specifies methods and contacts for 

retrieval of CWTD found dead or injured 

on the BNSF right-of-way. Such a plan will 

be completed and implemented by FRA, 

WSDOT and BNSF by October 30, 2015.

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FRA and WSDOT will monitor and report 

the number of passenger train trips that 

occur each calendar year. Reports will be 

submitted annually to the USFWS by 

March 1 of the following year.

5X